As the snow melts away from Mt Buller in Australia, it reveals more than the terrain beneath it. Lost gear and trash left behind during the winter season also begin to emerge, prompting an annual cleanup effort across the mountain.
A crew of 70 people from Buller and Alpine Resorts Victoria joined forces last week for the annual mountain cleanup day. In just over an hour, the group collected more than 772 pounds of litter.
Trash Cleanup Reveals Some Unusual Finds
Much of the trash collected during the cleanup was familiar to the Mt Buller team. Chip packets, bottles, cans, gloves, name tags and hair ties were among the common items found across the mountain. The cleanup also produced some considerably stranger discoveries.
According to Kylin, the health, safety and environmental coordinator at Buller Ski Lifts, the crew found several Lego figurines, a pair of television antennas, a fire extinguisher, retainers and even a refrigerator drawer. One staff member also found $10 while searching the mountain, providing an unexpected bonus from the cleanup effort.
Protecting Mt Buller’s Alpine Environment
The annual cleanup is about more than simply making the mountain look better. Mt Buller contains fragile alpine ecosystems and plant and animal species that are endemic to the mountain environment. The cleanup provides an opportunity for the local ski community and resort management teams to help protect those ecosystems as winter gives way to summer.
Visitors who spend time at Mt Buller during the warmer months are also being encouraged to help with the effort. Resort officials are asking people who encounter trash while exploring the mountain to pick it up and place it in an appropriate bin.